Lokomotiv Moscow v Zenit St Petersburg Preview & Tips: Railroaders to seal the deal in Russia

Mat Marshall

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Last updated: 04 May 2018

Mat Marshall 04 May 2018

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Lokomotiv can wrap up the Premier League title with a win in Moscow

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Lokomotiv's Manuel Fernandes and Zenit's Yuriy Zhirkov battle on May 21, 2017 in Moscow (Epsilon/Getty Images)

Lokomotiv Moscow v Zenit St Petersburg Preview & Tips

Lokomotiv Moscow host Zenit St Petersburg at the RZD Arena and will seal their third Premier League title with a win. Zenit are struggling at the moment with a host of key players missing and Roberto Mancini under huge pressure.

Lokomotiv Moscow

The Railroaders are on the cusp of their third Russian Premier League title and first since 2004. Yuri Semin has done a fantastic job this season, replacing Zenit at the summit on matchday 14 and never looking back.

Their recent form is a concern however, winless in their last three matches and failing to hit the target in the process. They fell to a 2-0 defeat at FC Krasnodar last time out with Fedor Smolov scoring twice in two minutes.

Jefferson Farfan is the leading scorer for Lokomotiv this season with 14 goals in all competitions. He has been ably assisted by midfielders Manuel Fernandes and the Miranchuk brothers Aleksey and Anton.

Vedran Corluka missed the Krasnodar match and could miss out again here. The Croatian defender is the only doubt for the home side.

Zenit St Petersburg

Zenit’s season heading towards failure if they don’t qualify for the Champions League. Roberto Mancini’s side are two points behind CSKA Moscow and three behind Spartak Moscow with just two games to play.

With one of the highest budget in the league, the Lions are on the outside looking in and Mancini is under pressure. With reports he has entered talks to become next Italy manager, he might already have his bags packed.

Zenit were held to a goalless draw against CSKA last weekend. Branislav Ivanovic suffered an injury and Emiliano Rigoni picked up his fourth booking to earn a suspension. They will be unavailable alongside long term absentees Aleksandr Kokorin, Andrey Lunev and Emanuel Mammana.

Match Up

Zenit have bossed Lokomotiv in recent years but lost the reverse fixture 3-0 in October despite bossing the match. The Lions didn’t take their chances and conceded three second half goals, two to Jefferson Farfán with Aleksey Miranchuk wrapping it up.

Lunev, Mammana, Ivanovic, Rigoni and Korkorin all started that match alongside Artem Dzyuba who has since moved to Arsenal Tula. Zenit’s side on Saturday will be much weaker to the one that lost to Lokomotiv in October.

Key Statistics

Lokomotiv Moscow have kept a clean sheet in their last 5 home matches (Premier League).
Lokomotiv Moscow are undefeated in their last 8 home matches (Premier League).
There have been under 2.5 goals scored in Lokomotiv Moscow's last 5 home games (Premier League).
Zenit are undefeated in 17 of their last 18 away matches (Premier League).
Zenit have won 1 of their last 6 away matches (All competitions).

Verdict

Lokomotiv are in poor form, but that could be down to them having such a large advantage in the Premier League and taking their foot off the gas. There will be no shortage of motivation at home against their rivals with a win guaranteeing them the title.

Zenit missed a great chance to overtake CSKA last weekend and lost Ivanovic and Rigoni in the process to add to their problems. Mancini has his head elsewhere and defeat here could all but end his career in Russia.